At Le Café, a thirst for society

Le Regard Libre No. 46 – Loris S. Musumeci

The Fribourg Museum of Art and History (MAHF) is presenting an extraordinary exhibition. While the institution generally maintains a very high standard of work, here it reaches the pinnacle of success by offering visitors an emotional glimpse into their daily lives—specifically, the café as a social space. Blending history, reflection, entertainment, and art: «At the Café: A Thirst for Society.» Not to be missed under any circumstances, through March 17, 2019 (practical information at the end of the article).

Cafés resonate differently with each of us. First, because they appeal to everyone, from babies to the elderly. A child accompanies his mom to a café in the afternoon where—thank goodness!—there’s a space suited to him. While Mom chats with her friends—often other moms who gather the little ones so they can play together and give their parents a little peace—the child sits at a lower table in a corner of the café, decorated with bright paintings or even the café’s mascots — Jamadu, not to advertise, but does that ring a bell?

There are a few wooden blocks available to help the little boy become the mason he’ll be one day. There are usually a few books as well, from which another, less well-behaved child has torn out some pages. But the real tragedy is when the puzzle A piece is missing. Could someone have swallowed it between sips of grenadine syrup? When they’ve had enough of the “model children” games, the most restless ones start a game of hide-and-seek or tag.

Everything’s fine—until these kids start screaming and bothering the old ladies who’ve come to have tea in a large group. So one mom stands up, yells a good bit, and calm returns. Not for long, though—it’s snack time: order a milk roll that will no doubt be devoured by the moms whose kids have forgotten all about being hungry now that play has taken over again.

A place for all ages

However, coffee isn't just for daycare; when you're a teenager, after school, it's a great binch with friends that awaits us. Once we enter the workforce, we’ll not only cool off with a beer after work and before diving back into the hustle and bustle of family life, but we’ll also be obligated—dignity demands it!—to stop by for a coffee in the morning and read the newspaper. And even if we now read Le Matin on his smartphone, why change a good habit? After all, that’s where you get your coffee—at the counter—keeping one eye on the screen and the other on the comings and goings of the waitresses and other customers.

As for the elderly, they go to the café to pass the time. Alone, the retiree comes to soak up the life and activity that have faded from his home over time. In company, the seniors play cards and chat—not without a touch of nostalgia—about the good old days. But the café doesn’t just see people of all ages come and go—it also brings together people from all walks of life. The worker’s heavily stained overalls mingle with the insurance agents’ neatly tied ties; and the cement-caked work boots mingle with the well-polished loafers. Despite their differences, everyone is thirsty—thirsty for companionship.

A comprehensive and lively exhibition

Returning to the exhibition itself, the reason it so perfectly captures these impressions of the café—a place for everyone and by everyone—is that it is the result of a comprehensive and considerable effort. Under the coordination of Verena Villiger, director of the MAHF, the exhibition has been arranged across the museum’s three galleries, divided into eight sections, each dedicated to a different aspect of the café. Furthermore, the exhibition does not merely display stored objects; it highlights them through simple explanations and arrangements that reflect the impression it aims to convey.

The walls are covered with photos, drawings, and paintings, as well as more unusual art objects, such as tables standing on end or ties featuring the logos of various bistros in Fribourg. And of course, there’s a jukebox, old-fashioned chests, ashtrays, tables, chairs, tableware, and so many other objects. An interactive projection spanning the entire surface of a large wall displays a map of Fribourg dating from 1606, allowing visitors to travel from one inn to another. I almost forgot to mention the music: you can listen to a few songs by the Fribourg-based singer-songwriter and cabaret artist Max Folly. A feast of history and entertainment. Simply brilliant!

The works on display finally evoke certain atmospheres. The flags of the Landwehr or the official portrait of General Guisan transport us back to a bygone era. The same is true of the tributes to the great Fribourg innkeepers, including that of the remarkable Marie-Rose Holenstein, proprietress of the Gothard. Newspapers also have their place: they reflect the partisan struggles between conservatives and progressives. Advertising posters, for their part, encourage either the excessive consumption of alcohol or, conversely, caution against drunkenness by recommending a simple glass of good apple juice.

Artistic expression in cafés is epitomized in particular by Jacques Chessex, who is beautifully captured in a photograph, and by Jean Tinguely, a master of atmosphere, several of whose paintings depict scenes of daily life in various Swiss establishments. And what a thrill it was for me—a native of Sédun—to discover that the painting used as the exhibition poster depicted a man in the legendary Café du Boulevard in Sion! And I can assure you that every visitor will truly find an object or a place connected to a part of their own life.

Have I finally been bribed into showing so much enthusiasm for the exhibition? Certainly not. It’s simply that I love cafés, just like all of you; and when a team pays such a tribute to them, you can’t help but get on board. All the more so because, even though the visit takes on a nostalgic air—even when looking back on a time we never experienced— its joyful atmosphere and abundance of creativity suggest that nothing is lost, and that cafés, despite the changes, are not about to die out and will endure as long as there is thirst, as long as there is society.

Write to the author: loris.musumeci@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Indra Crittin for Le Regard Libre